Global Warming is Real

Nelson Muffah of Christian Aid: "We Are Not on Track" at COP15

Thomas Schueneman — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:09:02 +0000

Nelson Muffah speaks to journalists after a daily press briefing from Climate Action Network International on the progress of climate negotiations at COP15 in Copenhagen. Muffah is the Senior Climate Change Advocacy Advisor for Christian Aid.

Even though there is talk that "legally binding" is back on the table, Muffah makes clear that the current state of negotiations would likely represent a four degree Celsius rise in emissions by the end of this century – double the two degree rise considered "safe" to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

The situation here is fluid. Minsters begin arriving tomorrow followed by heads of state on Wednesday. With at least 114 world leaders coming to Copenhagen, there is intense pressure for substantial progress, what remains to be seen if it will be enough.

Climate Bill Passes Out of Committee Despite Republican Stonewalling

Thomas Schueneman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:14:57 +0000

Despite a three-day stalemate between Democrats and Republican on the Senate Energy and Public Works committee, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act passed out of committee on an 11-1 vote. Republicans refused to participate in the markup session of the bill, saying that the EPA needed to conduct a more thorough cost analysis. The minority leader, infamous climate change denier James Inhofe of Oklahoma, characterized Senator Barbara Boxer's insistence on moving forward without the minority as "the nuclear option."

Boxer countered Republican claims, saying that the EPA had already done extensive analysis on the bill, and to require more at this early stage in the bill's life would be a waste of taxpayer money. Boxer also defended her decision to move without Republicans present saying a never-before-used committee rule allowed her that authority. "That's why they wrote it," Boxer said of the rule. "Otherwise, the whole Senate can come to a screeching halt."

The bill has six more committees to wend its way through before reaching the floor of the Senate. Few believe it will pass the full Senate in time for the COP15 climate conference in Copenhagen next month.

Source:
New York Times/ClimateWire (subscription)

Podcast report by Energy and Environment Senior Reporter Darren Samuelsohn
Podcast produced by GWIR Editor Tom Schueneman

Podcast: Senate Climate Bill Cuts-up Smaller Allocation Pie Than House Version

Thomas Schueneman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:11:41 +0000

Major differences begin to emerge between the Senate and House versions of cap-and-trade legislation. Due to more stringent budget requirements – known as the "CBO haircut" – in the Senate, the Kerry-Boxer bill is forced to dole out emissions allowances from a smaller pie. A difference that Boxer didn't highlight when the 923-page draft bill was released late last Friday, but that is becoming apparent to those vying for a piece of the pie.

Sources and further reading:
New York Times/E&E News (subscription)
Grist – How CBO budget scoring devalues efficiency… with PUPPIES!
Climate Progress

Reported by Energy and Environment senior correspondent Darren Samuelsohn, podcast by GWIR editor Tom Schueneman